Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service Takes Off

April 1, 2013

By Jed Hermann, Corporation for National and Community Service

At the last month's Congressional City Conference in Washington, DC, Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, addressed the opening plenary about the power of national service to address local challenges. In her remarks, Spencer previewed the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, of which the National League of Cities is a co-sponsor.

Thanks to all those that attended the conference and signed up in person or online the number of mayors participating on April 9 has nearly doubled to almost 700, with more signing up every day. In cities big and small and in every state, the Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service promises to send a strong message about the important impact of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps in local communities.

For example, in St. Paul, Mayor Coleman will hold a day long series of events and site visits to highlight the impact of national service in his city. Mayor Coleman will meet AmeriCorps members dedicated to education and youth development and Senior Corps participants who provide housing services and support to the elderly. In Avondale, AZ, Mayor Rogers will issue a Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service proclamation and personally thank local national service members for their efforts.

If your city has already signed to join St. Paul and Avondale on April 9, we hope that you will hold a great event that personally thanks AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants for their impact in your city. Remember that using traditional and social media is a great way to get the message out. For sample press releases, proclamations, op-eds, social media materials, signage and more, click here now. And remember, please ask the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants in your city to wear their national service branded gear to the event- it will help you recognize them!